How to Pray?

When I first joined the Lady Wildcats' I was really impressed with their prayer before the game. It is the "Our Father" or the "Lord's Prayer", and is a ritual that the girls conduct just before taking the court for the game. It is wonderful!!

The prayer is brought to us by Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:9-13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=6&version=31#fen-NIV-23296a

Jesus' preface; "This, then, is how you should pray;" is pretty clear and it has become the universal CHRISTIAN prayer by most denominations.

Let's take a look at what this prayer is saying;

1. Before the prayer, Jesus says; "Do not be like the hypocrites." and goes on to explain that the many words of the hypocrites and the way in which they pray; out in the open so as to be seen by others as 'righteous', is not the way that we should pray. In other words, He is saying to be earnest and focused on the prayer you are offering to God; "go into your room, close the door and pray to your father." He is not saying that you can't pray publicly, He is saying to be sincere and focused on the Father.

2. Also, 'do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words'. Do you know what a pagan is? A non-Believer in God. Again, He is saying; Believe in God and pray to Him in earnestness, genuineness, heartfelt and attentive prayer, because; "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Matthew 5:9-10 'This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'

'Our Father' means just that; Our Father!!!!!!!!!! He made us, He sustains us. When we address Him in this way, we are saying; I BELIEVE YOU and I BELIEVE IN YOU. This is the basis of real FAITH. You can expect NO response from God if you don't BELIEVE in HIM!!!

More tomorrow...

Lady Wildcats; Think of this as you pray on Tuesday before your game. Believe in Him, ask Him for His will to be done during this BIG game on Tuesday. Ask Him to strengthen you, to inspire you, to enliven you and your teammates and for the other team to play their best and to grow in the knowledge of God. If I'm not there with you, I will be praying for you all during the game.

Be warriors, for Him.

Coach Bill